Marine toilet



Nam 22, 19312 ALLAN 1,888,842

MARINE TOILET Filed. May 6, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 22, 1932.

P.ALLAN MARINE TOILET Filed May 6. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 CULQamu Nov. 22, 1932. P. ALLAN MARINE TOILET Filed May 6. 1931 5 Sheets-$heet Qwuewtoz a640 W a W M Nov. 22, I932. P. ALLAN MARINE TOILET Filed May 6, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nam-22, 1932. P. ALLAN 1,888,842

MARINE" TOILET Filed May 6, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f um/tor flaw/ 0 '91 Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFIQE PERCY ALLAN, OF MON'IGLAIR, NEH/V JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO A. B. SANDS & SON COMPANY, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MARINE TOILET Application filed May 6,- 1931. Serial No. 535,312.

The present invention relates to toilets and embodies, more specifically, an improved marine toilet construction by means of which the flushing and rinsing operations are accomplished by power rather than manually. The present form of manually operated ma rine toilet is quite objectionable in view of the inconvenience in operating the same, such manual operation often being quite diflicult. In order that toilets of this character may be flushed against the external water pressure, the present invention has been designed to permit such flushing by means of a power operated mechanism, rather than a manually operated pump and an object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an effective flushing device for toilets which is power operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power opera-ted flushing mechanism for marine toilets which is conveniently controlled by a pedal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toilet of the above character wherein discharging and flushing operations are both effected by means of a suitable power mechanism, a single power source being utilized to effect both operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein a single pump serves to effect the discharge of the contents of the toilet and simultaneously direct water from outside the hull into the toilet to effect the flushing thereof.

Further objects in the details of construction and operation of this mechanism will be apparent as the description proceeds and referenoe will now be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of a power operated flushing mechanism for a marine toilet, showing the toilet and cover removed to reveal the elements of the mechanism. 7 Figure .2 is a view in side elevation, showing the mechanism of Figure 1, the cover of the mechanism being broken away in the interest of clearness.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation, showing the device of Figures 1 and 2, the cover being cut away and in section in the interest of clearness.

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken on a vertical central plane indicated by line 14: of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view in section, taken on line 55 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 77 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure Sis a view in section, taken on line 88 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a view in section, taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the aIrOws.

Figure 10 is a View in section showing one form of control switch adapted for use in connection with the present invention.

A suitable toilet bowl is mounted upon a supporting member or base 2 which is secured within a suitable receptacle 3. This receptacle is provided with a peripheral flange 4 which receives a cover 5 which may be-formed of two sections to be mounted over the re- 30 ceptacle and enclose the mechanism described hereinafter. Abutments 6 are formed on the flange 4 to facilitate the positioning of the cover in a manner which will be readily understood. 35

Upon one side of the supporting member 2 and within the receptacle 3 is mounted an electric motor 7 which is secured upon mounting pads 8 and drives a shaft 9 by means of a suitable connection, such as a worm and worm wheel, etc. Shaft 9 is ournaled, at its other end, by a standard 10 and having a spherical self-aligning hearing at each end drives a crank 11 which is secured to a connecting rod 12. The rotatative motion of shaft 9 is thus transformed into reciprocating motion in the connecting rod 12 and this motion is applied to a crank arm 13 which is journaled on a shaft 14. A crank arm 13' is keyed to shaft 14 and connected to the arm 13 1 0 by means of a thumb screw 13 for actuating apumping mechanism described herein after. The crank arm 13 is preferably provided with a socket member 15 which is adapted to receive a manually operated handle 17 for use in the event that the power mechanism fails. It will thus be seen that the power mechanism may be disconnected during manual operation by means of the thumb screw.

Shaft 14 is j ournaled in a bushing 18, carried in a pump cylinder casing 19. Within the cylinder 19, a double acting piston 20 is slidably received, the piston being mounted upon aguide shaft 21 which is slidably received within a guide 22. Journaled upon the guide shaft, adjacent the piston 20, and upon opposite sides of the shaft, are similar links 23 which are pivotally connected between pairs of spaced bifurcated arms 24 mounted upon the bifurcations: of a crank arm 25. This crank arm is secured to the shaft 14 and thus receives the reciprocating motion thereof impressed upon the shaft by the connecting rod 12 and the crank arm 13. The pump piston 20 is thus reciprocated by the electric motor 7 and serves to pump out the contents of the toilet hewl 1 and simultaneously flush the bowl in a manner described hereinafter.

Cylinder 19 is formed with a head 26 which communicates with a suction chamber 27, separated from the passage 28 in the support ing member 2 by means of a check valve 29.

The conduit 28 communicates with the bottom of the toilet bowl 1, as clearly shown in Figure 4, and thus enables the contents of the toilet bowl to be drawn into the suction chamber 27 when. the piston 20 is advanced toward the guide members 22, or in its suction stroke with respect to the discharging operation. Reverse flow of the contents into the bowl is prevented by means of the check valve 29 which is mounted upon the supporting member at 30. Upon the reverse movement of the piston 20, the contents of the suction chamber 27 are discharged-into a fitting 3-1 which is separated from the suction chamber 27 by means of a check valve 32. This fitting communicates with a discharge pipe 33 through a rubber check valve 34. It will thus be seen that the last named stroke of the piston 20 discharges the contents of the suction chamber overboard through the fitting 31 and discharge pipe 33, such contents passing through the check valves 33 and 34.

In order that the flushing and rinsing operation may occur simultaneously with the evacuating operation, a flush pipe 35 is connected at its upper end to the bowl in the usual fashion, and, at its lower end, to a fitting 36 which communicates with a valve chamber 37. An inlet connection 38 receives water from outside the hull through, a pipe 39 and communicates with the valve chamber 37, being secured thereto by means of a stay bolt 40.

Within the valve chamber 37 is formed an inlet chamber 41 which communicates with the connection 38, a suction valve 42 being provided to normally prevent communication between the interior of the valve chamber 37 and the inlet chamber 41. For this purpose, a compression spring 43 is provided, the spring being seated upon a spring retainer 44 and, at its other end, in a nut 45. This nut is formed with a bore 46 which receives a valve stem 47 of the suction valve 42 and thus limits the movement of valve 42 to the desired extent.

Under the spring retainer 44 is a yokeshaped lifter 48 which is formed as an eX- tension of a lever arm 49. This lever arm is keyed to a rock shaft 50 whichis journaled within the walls of the valve chamber and secured by means of a fitting 51. A lever 52 is keyed to the portion of the shaft 50 projecting out of the chamber and is formed with an offset projection 53 which is adapted to be engaged by a set screw 54 upon a foot lever 55. The foot lever is journaled upon the rock shaft 50 and is formed with a pedal 56 which is adapted to be conveniently actuated by the operator. It will thus be seen that a degree of lost motion between lever 52 and lever is thus afforded and this lost motion is utilized to actuate an electric switch 57 by means of a spring pressed plunger 58 which is engaged by the lever 55. The switch is preferably of the toggle type and snaps into either open or closed position upon predetermined movement of the plunger 58. In the initial downward movement of lever 55, therefore, the switch is closed and the motor 7 energized. Suitable electrical connections 59 may he made between the switch and motor and, since this falls within the skill of an ordinary mechanic and forms no part of the present invention, further description of these electrical circuits is deemed unnecessary herein.

Upon engaging the offset extension 53 of lever 52 further movement of the lever 55 rocks shaft 50 to elevate the valve lifting mechanism 48, urging the spring retainer and spring upwardly to permit the water pressure under the suction valve 42 to unseat the valve and direct the flow through the valve chamber and into the cylinder between the piston and the guide member 22. When the closet is being operated manually, the foot pedal is operated to supply water for flushing and rinsing the bowl.

Within the valve chamber 37 is a check valve 60 which is provided with a valve stem 61 mounted in a valve guide 62. This valve communicates with the fitting 36 and is normally seated under its own weight. An L-shaped lifting lever 63'is journaled at 64 upon the valve cylinder and the portion of this lever under the valve 60 is preferably of such weight as to lie normally below the check valve 60 and in operative engagement therewith. An extension formed on the lever 63 lies under an extension 66, formed on the lifter 48 and is adapted to be engaged by such extension 66 upon downward movement of the valve lifter to permit the suction valve 42 to be seated. Upon such downward movement the lifter 63 elevates check valve 60 and establishes communication between the fitting 36 and the interior of the cylinder 19. In this fashion during the suction stroke of the piston 20 for drawing in flushing water, the check valve 60 is closed and the suction valve 42 may be opened. Upon completion of the stroke, the suction valve closes and the check valve permits the compression stroke of the piston 20 to force the water through the flush pipe 35 and into the toilet bowl. It will be seen that the suction stroke of the piston 20 with respect to the suction chamber 27 will thus suck the contents of the bowl into such suction chamber and simultaneously force flushing water through the flush pipe 35 and effect the rinsing of the bowl.

Should it be desirable to empty the bowl without allowing the flushing stream to be discharged therein, the check valve 60 is elevated from its seat, thus establishing communication between the atmosphere and the suction chamber of the pump cylinder to prevent the suction of water from the supply pipe 39 through the suction valve 42. This is accomplished by depressing the foot lever 55 and then elevating the same until the set screw 5 L no longer contacts with the lever 52. The lever is then held in this position with the foot to permit the motor to operate to discharge the contents of the bowl without directing a stream of rinsing water through the flush pipe 35 (it will be remembered that the switch stem or plunger 58 operates a toggle switch and thus must rise normally to the top of its stroke before the switch will snap off and stop the motor).

From the foregoing it will be seen that an effective mechanism is provided for discharging the contents of a toilet bowl, such mechanism simultaneously effecting the rinsing thereof. The power mechanism for effecting the foregoing operations is conveniently controlled by means of a manually operated device and such construction that it operates eifectively and does not readily fall into disrepair. The mechanism is further of such character as to be readily repaired, the valve chamber 37 being easily removed from the cylinder and associated elements, being secured thereto by means of its flange 67 and any suitable securing means. A hand hole 68 and cover 69 may be provlded to facilitate the repair the mechanism is of of the mechanism and while the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a toilet bowl and discharge pipe, a suction chamber between the bowl and pipe, check valves between the chamber and the bowl and pipe, respectively,

a rinsing pipe for the bowl, a pump cylinder communicating at one end with the suction chamber and at the other end with the rinsing pipe, a pipe between a supply of water for rinsing and the cylinder end in communication with the rinsing pipe, valves in the supply pipe and rinsing pipe, a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the piston, manual means to control the power means, means to actuate the last named valves by the manual means, and means to initiate actuation of the power means and actuate the said last named valves simultaneously.

2. In combination with a toilet bowl and a discharge pipe, a suction chamber between the bowl and pipe, check valves between the chamber and the bowl and pipe, respectively, a rinsing pipe for the bowl, a pump cylinder communicating at one end with the suction chamber and at the other end with the rinsing pipe, a pipe between a supply of water for rinsing and the cylinder end in communication with the rinsing pipe, valves in the supply pipe and rinsing pipe, a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the piston, manual means to control the power means, means to actuate the last named valves by the manual means, and means to initiate actuation of the power means and actuate the said last named valves simultaneously,

' said last named means effecting the actuation of the valves prior to rendering the power means inoperative.

3. In combination with a cylinder communicating at one end with a toilet suction chamber and a discharge pipe, a rinsing water supply pipe communicating with the other end of the cylinder, a suction check valve pen mitting fluid flow from the supply pipe to the cylinder, a rinsing water pipe between the last named end of the cylinder and a toilet bowl, a check valve between the cylin der and the last named pipe permitting fluid fiow from the cylinder to the said last named pipe, a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the cylinder, manual means to control the power means, and means actuated by the manual means to open the suction valve and close the last named valve upon actuation of the power means.

4:. In combination with a cylinder com municating at one end with a toilet suction chamber and a discharge pipe, a water supply pipe communicating with the other end of the cylinder, a suction valve permitting fluid means to secure the last named arm to the flow from the supply pipe to the cylinder, a manually actuated arm.

This speclficatlon slgned this 1st day of rinsing water pipe between the last named end of the cylinder and a toilet bowl, a check valve between the cylinder and the last named pipe permitting fluid flow from the cylinder to the said last named pipe, a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the cylinder, manual means to control the power means, and an interlock between the suction and last named valve to open the latter when the former is closed.

5. In combination with a cylinder communicating at one end with a toilet suction chamber and a discharge pipe, a water supply pipe communicating with the other end of the cylinder, a suction check valve permittting fluid flow from the supply pipe to the cylinder, means normally urging the suction check valve into its closed position, a rinsing water pipe between the last named end of the cylinder and a toilet bowl, a check valve between the cylinder and the last named pipe permitting fluid flow from the cylinder to the said last named pipe, said last named valve normally tending to close itself, a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the cylinder, manual means to control the power means, and means actuated by the manual means to relieve the suction valve of the means normally urging the same into its closed position and permit the last named valve to close.

6. In combination with a cylinder communicating at one end with a toilet suction chamber and a discharge pipe, a water supply pipe communicating with the other end of the cylinder, a suction check valve permitting fluid flow from the su ply pipe to the cylinder, a spring normally urging the suction check valve into its closed position, a rinsing water pipe between the last named en d of the cylinder and a toilet bowl, a check valve between the cvlinder and the last named pipe permitting fluid flow from the cylinder to the said last named pipe, said last named valve normally tending to close itself, means to maintain the last named valve open. a piston in the cylinder, power means to actuate the cylinder, manual means to control the power means, and means actuated by the manual means to relieve the suction valve of its spring pressure and render the last named valve opening means inoperative.

7. In combination with a toilet bowl and a discharge pipe, a suction chamber between the bowl and pipe, check valves between the chamber and the bowl and pipe, respectively, a pump communicating with the chamber, means actuated by the pump to flush the bowl, a rock shaft for actuating the pump, a manually actuated crank arm secured to the rock shaft, a power actuated connecting rod, an arm journaled on the rod and rock shaft, and

April, A. D. 1931.

PERCY ALLAN. 

